Clayton Kershaw drops hint about his future in surgery announcement
Apr 13, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) returns to the dugout after seven perfect innings against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw dropped a big hint about his playing future on Friday as he revealed he underwent surgery on his left shoulder.
In an Instagram post, Kershaw said he underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair damaged ligaments and his shoulder capsule. Notably, he concluded by saying he is “hopeful to return to play at some point next summer.”
Clayton Kershaw announces on Instagram that he underwent left shoulder surgery this morning to repair the gleno-humeral ligaments and his shoulder capsule
He said he is "hopeful to return to play at some point next summer" pic.twitter.com/XBZXC9dVBH
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) November 3, 2023
In other words, Kershaw has every intention of continuing his career in 2024, despite the rehab that will be required to do so. It had not been clear whether that would be the case, as he turns 36 next March and speculation about whether he would retire.
Kershaw was still highly effective when healthy in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA in 24 regular season starts. All of that was overshadowed by his disastrous outing in Game 1 of the NLDS, though.
The next question Kershaw has to answer is who he will be pitching for, as he is set for free agency. Logically, he would be most likely to stick with the Dodgers, but he did flirt with another team last winter.
